French Union

French Union Union française
← 1946–1958 ↓
Flag Coat of arms
Motto Liberté, égalité, fraternité (French: Liberty, equality, brotherhood)
Anthem La Marseillaise
Territories of the French Union
Capital	Paris
Language(s)	French
Political structure	State union
Historical era	Cold War
- Fourth Republic	October 27, 1946
- Fifth Republic	October 5, 1958
Currency	French franc CFA franc CFP franc French Indochinese piastre
Preceded by Succeeded by Provisional Government of the French Republic French Community Kingdom of Laos State of Vietnam North Vietnam Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–1970) Morocco Tunisia French Guinea

The French Union (French: Union française) was a political entity created by the French Fourth Republic to replace the old French colonial system, the "French Empire" (Empire Français) and to abolish its "indigenous" (indigène) status.

History

Established by the French constitution of October 27, 1946 (Fourth Republic), it lasted until 1958, when it was replaced by the French Community by Charles de Gaulle's Fifth Republic.

French Commonwealth

The French Union was modelled on the British Commonwealth.

The French Union included France, French overseas départements, territories, settlements, United Nations trusteeships (Cameroun, etc.), French colonies (which became overseas départements of France) and associate states (protectorates) which became autonomous.

Withdrawals from the French Union

• Cambodia withdrew on 25 September 1955.
• South Vietnam withdrew on 9 December 1955.
• Morocco withdrew on 2 March 1956 on becoming independent.
• Tunisa withdrew on 20 March 1956 on becoming independent.
• Laos withdrew on 11 May 1957 by amending its constitution.

See also

• Decolonization
• First Indochina War
• CEFEO
• French Community
• French colonial empire